Processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent and translucent lithophane, a quasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane, and an authenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chip lithophane

ABSTRACT

Processes are disclosed for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture in which the photoluminescent lithophane provides a glow-in-the-dark quality of the digitized picture, and an authenticity chip lithophane is produced. The processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture include a monochrome process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing high definition monochrome glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures and a full color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing high definition full color glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures. A luminance pump is employed in the full color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane to pump light through the rest of the plates and bring the overall brightness up.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/693,679, entitled “PROCESS FOR PRODUCING 3D-APPEARINGSELF-ILLUMINATING HIGH DEFINITION PHOTOLUMINESCENT LITHOPHANE,” filedJul. 3, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/727,392,entitled “PROCESS FOR PRODUCING QUASI-COLOR PHOTOLUMINESCENT LITHOPHANEUSING ONLY LUMINANCE INFORMATION OF A PICTURE,” filed Sep. 5, 2018. TheU.S. Provisional Patent Applications 62/693,679 and 62/727,392 areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention described in this specification relategenerally to producing recreations of digitized photos, and moreparticularly, to processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized photo,processes for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane using only luminance information of a digitized photo, anauthenticity chip lithophane, and a process for creating an authenticitychip lithophane that provides a powerless light reactive alternate toelectronic means of authenticating an object or entry ticket.

Conventional production of anything with detail made of glow in the darkplastics tends to obscure any definition. This is especially true ofdigital pictures and is not clearly viewable and/or is very flat inlook. Unfortunately, the conventional methods presently used areunsuitable for producing high definition clarity because the glow in thedark plastics tend to obscure any detail built into what form is madewith the light they emit. Yet, many people would like to have a way toproduce high definition monochrome and full color glow in the darkprints of digitized pictures where details are brought into clear focusand present a three-dimensional (3D) quality or appearance to thedigitized photo used.

Therefore, what is needed is a way to produce high definition andcontrast at anywhere from monochrome to full color glow in the darklithophanes of digitized pictures where details are brought into clearfocus and present a 3D quality to the digitized photo used. Alsoconventional lithophanes have always been monolithic in material andtherefore always of low contrast and can usually only be seen by stronglight transmission through the rear of the created lithophane of whichalso detail is very low.

Also, lithophanes have always been made from a single monolithicsubstance such as wood, glass, porcelain, plastic, etc which produces alithophane that has low contrast and is a faint monochrome of the colorof the singular substance used. In producing a self-illuminating highdefinition and contrast photo luminescence and translucent lithophaneanywhere from monochrome to full color is dependent on how many layersof different colors of the substance, the different colors and theirposition and weight used to construct the lithophane.

In addition to the problems with conventional methods of producing highdefinition clarity of glow in the dark plastics, many people havemonochrome pictures which they would like to have rendered in some formin color or quasi-color. However, monochrome pictures only include light(luminance) information, not color. Furthermore, photographs throughoutthe history of photography have been manipulated after exposure in manyways in order to produce desired images. For example, monochrome imageshave been manipulated with charcoal pencils or other darkening agents toobscure, hide, or de-emphasize various elements present in the exposedphoto.

Also, photographs, no matter if monochrome or color, include luminanceinformation that specify varying amounts of lightness and darkness inthe photographs. However, luminance information can be erratic forphotos that have been manipulated after exposure. Furthermore, peopledesire to see color representations of monochrome images, but unlessthey have altered the photo by some coloring process that is deemedhistorically accurate by confirmation through other color photos of thesubject or people who can confirm, it is difficult to know which colorsmay be present. Yet, many people would like to have a way to produce acolor representation of a monochrome photo which is both decentlyaccurate and possible to produce without validation by historical orother means.

Therefore, many people would like to have a way to produce quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophanes of digitized pictures usingonly luminance information from the digitized pictures and to identifymanipulations in the digitized pictures based on the luminanceinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Novel processes are disclosed for producing three-dimensional (3D)self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent and phototranslucentlithophane of a digitized picture in which the photoluminescentlithophane provides a glow-in-the-dark quality of the digitized picture,a quasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane of a digitized picture using only luminanceinformation from the digitized picture, an authenticity chip lithophanethat provides a powerless light reactive alternate to electronic meansof authenticating an object or entry ticket and an authenticity chipprocess for creating the authenticity chip lithophane. Depending on howmany non monolithic in color materials are used the resulting processcan produce anywhere from a 3D self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent and phototranslucent lithophane monochrome lithophaneto full simulated color.

The processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture include(i) a monochrome process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearinghigh definition monochrome glow in the dark prints of digitized picturesand (ii) a full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane thatresults in 3D-appearing high definition full color glow in the darkprints of digitized pictures.

In some embodiments, the monochrome process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane creates aluminance separation of a digitized monochrome or full color picture andassigns the lights to a strong glow in the dark color, such as green,and the darks to a weaker glow in the dark color, such as blue, to showall the definition of the digitized picture in complete darkness andenhance it to give it a 3D look.

In some embodiments, the non monolithic process (in this case monochromeusing only two different colors) for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent and phototranslucentlithophane creates a luminance separation of a digitized monochromepicture and assigns the lights to a strong glow in the dark color, suchas green, and the darks to a weaker glow in the dark color, such asblue, to show all the definition of the digitized picture in completedarkness and enhance it to give it a 3D look. This can be increased tomultiple colors in which if the quasi-color formula is used a simulatedfull color lithophane can be created.

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane createsthree distinct color separation layers and a luminance separation of adigitized full color picture. In some embodiments, the three distinctcolor separation layers include a red separation layer, a greenseparation layer, and a blue separation layer. In some embodiments, thefull color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane assigns the lights to a strongglow in the dark color for the luminance separation and the darks to aweaker glow in the dark color for the luminance separation to show allthe definition of the digitized picture in complete darkness and enhanceit to give it a 3D look. In some embodiments, the luminance separationis printed to a transparent layer, such as a transparent piece ofplastic, that is used as a luminance mask. In some embodiments, the fullcolor process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane combines the luminance mask withthe red, green, and blue separation layers to produce the 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition full color photoluminescent lithophaneof the digitized picture.

In some embodiments, a luminance pump is employed in the full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane to pump light through the rest of the platesand increase overall brightness.

A quasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane of a digitized picture using only luminanceinformation from the digitized picture is disclosed. The quasi-colorprocess for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane of a digitized picture using only luminance information fromthe digitized picture includes steps comprising inputting a digitizedphoto, using a 3D modeling program to dark extrude the photo accordingto luminance information, saving the dark extrusion as a 3D model (“STLobject”), configuring printing parameters of the dark extrusion 3D modelvia a 3D printing slicer program and outputting a 3D printer code(“gcode”) file in response to the configured printing parameters for aprinting by a 3D printer, updating the gcode file during material postprocessing stage that sets set lithophane color heights to create thequasi-color effect, and using the updated gcode file by the 3D printerto produce the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane.

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture revealsmanipulations made to a physical photo on which the digitized picture isbased. In some embodiments, the manipulations revealed includepost-exposure use of charcoal pencil to manipulate an appearance of thephysical photo.

An authenticity chip lithophane and an authenticity chip process forcreating the authenticity chip lithophane are disclosed. In someembodiments, the authenticity chip lithophane provides a powerless lightreactive alternate to electronic means of authenticating an object orentry ticket.

In some embodiments, the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane comprises (i) inputting a digitized photo,(ii) loading the digitized photo into a photo manipulation program andadding a white rim that forms solid side walls, (iii) performing asequence of actions in a 3D modeling program including extruding thedigital image with light luminance information to create a bottom layerof the authenticity chip lithophane, copying the extruded digital imageand pasting it next to the original in a canvas work space within the 3Dmodeling program, mirroring the copied image to match with the base andto externally complete a smooth box, merging the two into a singleauthenticity chip 3D modeling program object (“STL object”), and thensaving the new 3D model authenticity chip, (iv) in a 3D printing slicerprogram, loading the authenticity chip STL object, setting it up forprinting, and saving a 3D printer code file (a “geode” file) tothereafter put into the 3D slicer program for post processing andsetting up color changes that complete preparation actions in service ofcreating the authenticity chip as a physical authenticity chiplithophane, and (v) outputting the authenticity chip lithophane by wayof a 3D printer.

The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction tosome embodiments of the invention. It is not meant to be an introductionor overview of all inventive subject matter disclosed in thisspecification. The Detailed Description that follows and the Drawingsthat are referred to in the Detailed Description will further describethe embodiments described in the Summary as well as other embodiments.Accordingly, to understand all the embodiments described by thisdocument, a full review of the Summary, Detailed Description, andDrawings is needed. Moreover, the claimed subject matters are not to belimited by the illustrative details in the Summary, DetailedDescription, and Drawings, but rather are to be defined by the appendedclaims, because the claimed subject matter can be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit of the subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having described the invention in general terms, reference is now madeto the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,but which are included to provide a further understanding of the presentdisclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate aspects of the present disclosure, andtogether with the detailed description serve to explain the principlesof the present disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural detailsof the present disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for afundamental understanding of the present disclosure and the various waysin which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of a non monolithicand non homogeneous lithophane with below the side sectional views oftwo, three, and four layer versions of these lithophanes in someembodiments.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a section view taken along line 2-2 ofthe non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane with exemplary viewsof two, three, and four layer versions of the non monolithic and nonhomogeneous lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of a non monolithicand non homogeneous lithophane on a LED light panel as one means ofviewing the lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a front view of the non monolithic andnon homogeneous lithophane of FIG. 3, as shown on the LED light panelfor viewing the lithophane.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a process for producing a non-monolithicself-illuminating high definition and contrast photo luminescent andtranslucent lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a full color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photo luminescentlithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of five layers(pieces) that make up a full color lithophane produced by the full colorprocess of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the five layers(pieces) separated in a stacking order to make the full colorlithophane.

FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the five layers(pieces) closely stacked for charging and viewing the full colorlithophane.

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates the full color lithophane produced bythe full color process of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a process for creating a quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane from a digitized photo insome embodiments.

FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane, created by the process ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates a section view showing a single stackof eight layers (pieces) taken along line 13-13 of the quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a detailed side sectional view of thesingle stack of layers (pieces) that make up the quasi-color lithophaneof FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a detailed side sectional view of topand bottom stacks of layers (pieces) based on the quasi-color formula ofa quasi-color lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 16 conceptually illustrates a detailed side sectional view ofseveral stacks of layers (pieces) based on the quasi-color formula of aquasi-color lithophane in some embodiments.

FIG. 17 conceptually illustrates a process for creating an authenticitychip lithophane from a digitized photo in some embodiments.

FIG. 18 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of an initialembossing to create a first half of the authenticity chip lithophane.

FIG. 19 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initialembossed first half of the authenticity chip lithophane also showing acopy.

FIG. 20 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initialembossed first half of the authenticity chip lithophane unchanged andwith the copy mirrored along one axis.

FIG. 21 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initialembossed first half of the authenticity chip lithophane unchanged andthe mirrored copy flipped and moved into position over an initial halfso they will meet correctly when put together.

FIG. 22 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initial halfand the mirrored copy pushed together and merged digitally.

FIG. 23 conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the authenticitychip lithophane after the initial half and the mirrored copy are pushedtogether and merged digitally.

FIG. 24 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someembodiments of the invention are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described.However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that theinvention can be adapted for any of several applications.

Some embodiments of the invention include novel processes for producingthree-dimensional (3D) self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent and phototranslucent lithophane of a digitized picturein which the photoluminescent lithophane provides a glow-in-the-darkquality of the digitized picture, a quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitizedpicture using only luminance information from the digitized picture, anauthenticity chip lithophane that provides a powerless light reactivealternate to electronic means of authenticating an object or entryticket and an authenticity chip process for creating the authenticitychip lithophane. Depending on how many non monolithic in color materialsare used the resulting process can produce anywhere from a 3Dself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent and phototranslucentlithophane monochrome lithophane to full simulated color.

Some embodiments include processes for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of adigitized picture in which the photoluminescent lithophane provides aglow-in-the-dark quality of the digitized picture. The processes forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture include (i) amonochrome to full simulated color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing high definitionmonochrome glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures and (ii) a fullcolor process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane that results in 3D-appearing highdefinition full color glow in the dark prints of digitized pictures.

Embodiments of the processes for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane describedin this specification differ from and improve upon currently existingoptions. In particular, some embodiments differ by producing a glow inthe dark recreation of any digitized photo that can be seen in the dark(i.e., once charged with light), put under a backlight, or viewed whileback lit by a strong light. Also, the processes for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane use an embossing procedure which gives a 3D quality to thedigitized photo that has now been 3D printed in glow in the darkplastics.

In addition, some embodiments of the processes for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane improve upon the currently existing options because glow inthe dark plastics can give off light, but existing conventional uses ofsuch plastics presently obscure most details, making their present usageunsuitable for high definition needs. In contrast, details are broughtinto clear focus by performing one of the processes for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of the present disclosure. Specifically, the processes forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane take a digitized photo andthree-dimensionally print it out with high definition detail that isunique and adds a 3D quality or appearance to the digitized photo used,while also using luminance information in the product that is producedby both the monochrome and the full color processes and using colorinformation in the product that is produced by way of (only) the fullcolor process, so as to provide a glow-in-the-dark effect.

Some embodiments of the invention include a novel quasi-color processfor producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane ofa digitized picture using only luminance information from the digitizedpicture. In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitizedpicture using only luminance information from the digitized pictureincludes (i) inputting a digitized photo, using a 3D modeling program todark extrude the photo according to luminance information, (ii) savingthe dark extrusion as a 3D model (“STL object”), (iii) configuringprinting parameters of the dark extrusion 3D model via a 3D printingslicer program and outputting a 3D printer code file (a “geode” file) inresponse to the configured printing parameters for a printing by a 3Dprinter, (iv) updating the gcode file during a material post processingstage that sets lithophane color heights to create the quasi-coloreffect, and (v) using the updated gcode file by the 3D printer toproduce the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane.

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture revealsmanipulations made to a physical photo on which the digitized picture isbased. In some embodiments, the manipulations revealed includepost-exposure use of charcoal pencil to manipulate an appearance of thephysical photo.

Embodiments of the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture described in thisspecification differ from and improve upon currently existing options.In particular, some embodiments differ by producing a quasi-colorrecreation of a digitized photo based only on the luminance informationof the digitized photo. In other words, the quasi-color process forproducing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of adigitized picture using only luminance information from the digitizedpicture can use luminance information from a monochrome photo andproduce a quasi-color representation of the photo in photoluminescentlithophane, which when charged under a backlight or viewed while backlit by a strong light presents an accurate appearing representation incolor of the subject in the monochrome photo.

Some embodiments of the invention include a novel authenticity chiplithophane that provides a powerless light reactive alternate toelectronic means of authenticating an object or entry ticket and a novelauthenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chip lithophane.

In some embodiments, the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane comprises (i) inputting a digitized photo,(ii) loading the digitized photo into a photo manipulation program andadding a white rim that forms solid side walls, (iii) performing asequence of actions in a 3D modeling program including extruding thedigital image with light luminance information to create a bottom layerof the authenticity chip lithophane, copying the extruded digital imageand pasting it next to the original in a canvas work space within the 3Dmodeling program, mirroring the copied image to match with the base andto externally complete a smooth box, merging the two into a singleauthenticity chip 3D modeling program object (“STL object”), and thensaving the new 3D model authenticity chip, (iv) in a 3D printing slicerprogram, loading the authenticity chip STL object, setting it up forprinting, and saving a 3D printer code file (a “geode” file) tothereafter put into the 3D slicer program for post processing andsetting up color changes that complete preparation actions in service ofcreating the authenticity chip as a physical authenticity chiplithophane, and (v) outputting the authenticity chip lithophane by wayof a 3D printer.

In some embodiments, the white rim is added with a minimum 0.4 mm widthso that when the digital image is extruded by the 3D modeling programthe light luminance information forms solid side walls. In someembodiments, the 3D modeling program extrudes the digital image withlight luminance information to have a 0.6 mm base at the bottom and 1.5mm total height. In some embodiments, the authenticity chip STL objectis configured to print top and bottom solid layers at 0.1 resolution and90% fill. In some embodiments, the authenticity chip lithophane asprinted is composed of a 0.2 mm white plastic, 0.4 mm glow greenplastic, varied color plastic(s) from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, and clear blackfrom 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm to create a top view area.

Several more detailed embodiments are described by reference to Figuresin the sections below. Section I describes examples of non monolithicand non homogeneous lithophane and a processes for producing monochrometo full simulated color 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionand contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitizedpicture by reference to FIGS. 1-4. Section II describes a full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane and presents an exemplary full colorlithophane by reference to FIGS. 6-10. Section III describes aquasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane using only luminance (light) information of adigitized photo by reference to FIGS. 11-16. Section IV describes somedetails of a luminance pump and aspects of identifying manipulations ina photo by way of the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized photo.Section V describes aspects of an authenticity chip lithophane thatprovides a powerless light reactive alternative to electric means ofauthenticating an object or an entry ticket and an authenticity chipprocess for creating an authenticity chip lithophane by reference toFIGS. 17-23. Section VI describes an electronic system by reference toFIG. 24 which implements one or more embodiments of the invention.

I. Process for Producing Monochrome to Full Simulated Color 3D-AppearingSelf-Illuminating High Definition and Contrast Photoluminescent andTranslucent Lithophane

In some embodiments, the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane creates a luminanceseparation of a digitized monochrome or full color picture and assignsthe lights to a strong glow in the dark color, such as green, and thedarks to a weaker glow in the dark color, such as blue (for monochrome),to show all the definition of the digitized picture in complete darknessand enhance it to give it a 3D look. The luminance separation is asingular separation for a monochrome picture, and up to sevenseparations of luminance for full simulated color.

By way of example, FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a perspective view ofa non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100. As shown in thisfigure, the non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100 presentsan image of a person 110. In addition, 3D texture is visible along someof the sides of the non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100.

Now turning to another example, FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates asection view taken along line 2-2 of the non monolithic and nonhomogeneous lithophane 100 with exemplary views of two, three, and fourlayer versions of the non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100.Specifically, the two layer version 210 includes a top layer 212 and abottom layer 214. The bottom layer 214 of the two layer version 210 ofthe non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100 is a base layerand is the lightest layer, while the top layer 212 shows the texture ofthe lithophane's three dimensional structure, and includes the darkestinformation of the lithophane. The two layer version 210 of the nonmonolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100 is a monochrome lithophanein some embodiments. By contrast, the exemplary the three layer version220 includes a top layer 222, a middle layer 224, and a bottom layer226, with the bottom layer 226 being the base layer with the lightestinformation, and the middle layer 224 stacked atop the base bottom layer226 and being darker than the base bottom layer 226, and finally, thetop layer 222 resting above the full stack with the lightest informationand showing the 3D texture of the lithophane. The last exemplary versionshown in this figure is the four layer version 230, which includes a topfirst layer 232 for the darkest layer and showing the 3D texture, asecond layer 234 stacked beneath the top first layer 232 with slightlylighter information, a third layer 236 below the second layer 234 witheven lighter information, and a bottom fourth layer 238, which is thebase layer with the lightest information.

In another example, FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a perspective viewof the non monolithic and non homogeneous lithophane 100 displayed on aLED light panel as one means of viewing the image of the person 110 asthe light from the LED light panel shines through the non monolithic andnon homogeneous lithophane 100.

Similarly, FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a front view of the nonmonolithic and non homogeneous lithophane of FIG. 3, as shown on the LEDlight panel for viewing the image of the person 110 as the light fromthe LED light panel shines through the non monolithic and nonhomogeneous lithophane 100.

The monochrome to full simulated color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of the present disclosuremay be comprised of the following elements. This list of possibleconstituent elements is intended to be exemplary only and it is notintended that this list be used to limit the monochrome to fullsimulated color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophaneof the present application to just these elements. Persons havingordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure mayunderstand there to be equivalent elements that may be substitutedwithin the present disclosure without changing the essential function oroperation of the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane.

1. Emboss digitized photo using the darks (luminance) to extrude thephoto according to strength in a 3D modeling program (lights are notraised at all).

2. Cut the 3D model of the embossed 3D photo into two parts, or intothree or more for more color depth all the way to full simulated color,according to the height created by embossing the digitized photoseparating the darks from the lights (luminance) in the photo and savingthe top (darks) and bottom (lights) of 3D emboss of the digitized photoas separate 3D object files but in the same positions they were in sothey can be reassembled by the 3D slicer program. An alternative methoduses a post slicer gcode processor program to select what heights tochange the material instead of having to slice it in the 3D modelerprogram.

3. Put the two 3D objects into the slicer program to create a slicerfile which will use a strong glow in the dark plastic (e.g., green) forthe base of the picture (which includes the light luminance information)and a weak glow in the dark plastic (e.g., blue) for the top (which hasthe dark luminance information) assigned in order for the 3D printer toassemble the 3D print properly. If using the alternate method of justassigning layers after the slicer program then just the originalunbroken embossed 3D photo is processed in the slicer program with thenecessary printing parameters, then the gcode file generated is moved tothe post slicer gcode program and the material height changes assignedand then rendered out for use in the 3D printer.

4. Load a dual extruder 3D printer with a strong glow in the darkplastic (e.g., green) for the base printing and a weak glow in the darkcolor (e.g., blue) for the top half of the 3D print dark luminanceinformation and print the glow in the dark high definition digitizedphoto with 3D look or appearance. Alternatively the post processed gcodewith assigned heights is used in a single extruder 3D printer where thefirst color is loaded and as printing progresses the material color ischanged where it was assigned till the 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophanehas been completed.

By way of example, FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a monochrome to fullsimulated color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane500. As shown in this figure, the monochrome to full simulated colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition andcontrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 starts when auser inputs a digitized photo (at 510). For example, the user mayimport, scan, or select a digitized photo a person, an animal, anobject, etc.

In some embodiments, the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 performs a firstsub-process (“PROCESS 1”) by a 3D modeler program (at 520).Specifically, in some embodiments, the 3D modeler program extrudes thedigitized photo using dark luminance information and then a short baseis added that has a light reflector and a glow layer behind the extrudedphoto.

In some embodiments, the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 then performs a secondsub-process (“PROCESS 2”) by a 3D slicer program (at 530). During thesecond sub-process, the 3D slicer program sets up printing parameters oflayer height, infill percentage, and amount of solid layers for theextruded photo and renders a 3D printer gcode file.

Next, the monochrome to full simulated color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 of some embodimentsperforms a third sub-process (“PROCESS 3”) by post-processing of the 3Dslicer program (at 540). During the third sub-process, thepost-processing by the 3D slicer program involves dividing the extrudedphoto height by as many layers as are needed to represent the colors tobe used from top to bottom. In some embodiments, the post-processing bythe 3D slicer program goes in order from light to dark. In some otherembodiments, the post-processing by the 3D slicer program goes in orderfrom dark to light. In some embodiments, the post-processing by the 3Dslicer program processes monochrome version of the lithophane from twolayers only, while simulated color lithophanes are possible with threeor more layers. An example of a two-layer monochrome lithophane 210 isdescribed above by reference to FIG. 2. Similarly, examples of simulatedcolor lithophanes are described in the three-layer lithophane 220 andthe four-layer lithophane 230 described above by reference to FIG. 2. Itgoes without saying that the more layers stacked together in a singlelithophane, and the more variations of dark and light informationrepresented in those layers, the better the color definition of theresulting 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane.

Thus, the monochrome to full simulated color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 of some embodimentstriggers a 3D printer to output the resulting 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane (at 550), whether a monochrome or full simulatedcolor output, or any partial simulated color lithophane output inbetween. In some embodiments, after the 3D printer outputs the3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane, then the monochrome to fullsimulated color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane500 ends.

The monochrome to full simulated color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 500 of the presentdisclosure generally works by having the dark colored translucentplastics where the luminance values are at the dark low values (theupper layers which are an embossing of those luminance values) and lightcolored translucent plastics backed by a layer of glow in the dark greenat the highest light luminance values (as the bottom layers which are anembossing of those luminance values). While the monochrome to fullsimulated color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophaneis one of the processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of the present disclosure,another one of the processes for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane, namely, afull color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane, is described in the nextsection.

The above-described embodiments of the monochrome to full simulatedcolor process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane arepresented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Whilethese embodiments of the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane have been described withreference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the monochrome to full simulated color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane can be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit of the monochrome tofull simulated color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane is not to be limited by the foregoingillustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appendedclaims.

II. Full Color Process for Producing 3D-Appearing Self-Illuminating HighDefinition Photoluminescent Lithophane

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane createsthree distinct color separation layers, a luminance mask, and luminancepump of a digitized full color picture. In some embodiments, the threedistinct color separation layers include a red separation layer, a greenseparation layer, and a blue separation layer. In some embodiments, thefull color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane uses all three color separationsto extrude each according to the light information of that color tocreate color plates that show all the definition of the digitizedpicture in complete darkness and enhance it to give it a 3D look orappearance. In some embodiments, the full color luminance information isextruded to the dark as depth and is printed as a transparent layer,such as a transparent piece of plastic, which is used as a luminancemask. In some embodiments, the full color luminance information isextruded to the light as depth and is printed in quasi-color formulathat is used for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane to pump light through the rest ofthe plates and bring the overall brightness up. In some embodiments, thefull color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane combines the luminance mask andpump with the red, green, and blue separation layers to produce the3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition full colorphotoluminescent lithophane of the digitized picture.

The full color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane of the present disclosure may becomprised of the following elements. This list of possible constituentelements is intended to be exemplary only and it is not intended thatthis list be used to limit the full color process for producing3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of the present application to just these elements. Personshaving ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure mayunderstand there to be equivalent elements that may be substitutedwithin the present disclosure without changing the essential function oroperation of the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane.

1. Start with a color (full color) image (e.g., scan a color photo orpicture or use an existing full color digital image).

2. Create red, green, and blue copies of the image. For example, use aphoto manipulation program, such as Gimp or Photoshop, to make a redseparation, a green separation, and a blue separation of the image, andthen save each (e.g., as a jpeg image file).

3. Create color extrusion channels as red, green, and blue color platesin a 3D modeling program (e.g., Blender, 3D Builder, etc.) by firstmaking a small extrusion base and extruding each of the separations(red, green, and blue) with the light information of the imageseparation raised and used to extrude higher as it is lighter. Then saveeach color plate as a 3D model file (e.g., “.STL” formatted file).

4. Create a luminance mask by dark information extrusion of theluminance of the original color image and save it as a 3D model file(e.g., “.STL” file).

5. Create a luminance pump by light information extrusion of theluminance of the original color image and save it as a 3D model file(e.g., the “.STL” file). Once processed in the 3D Slicer program thenput gcode file in slicer post processing program and setup to make withthe quasi-color formula by setting the heights to change plastics tocreate the light pump strengths as deemed by the information.

6. Print out (3D print, using slicer program) each of the color plates,using only the glow in the dark color for that plate for each of thered, green, and blue plates. Note that glow in the dark full color canbe done with all three plastics being glow in the dark (red, green, andblue) and a clear plastic or, if needed, with only a single color can besubstituted for a translucent colored plastic with the other two colorsbeing glow in the dark plastics. For the single color, red or blue ispreferable, but not green as it is the strongest. It is even possiblethat one could create full color with replacing both blue and red withtranslucent colored plastics but then the green channel needs to belarge to have the strength to get through two colored plates.

7. Print out (3D print) the luminance mask with a piece of clear plastic(i.e., since the luminance mask is a single piece, it can be setup to beprinted with just clear plastic).

8. Print out (3D print) the luminance pump using quasi-color formulausing all three glow in the dark plastics switching plastics as wasdefined when the slicer post processing program was used to setup theprint file for quasi-color.

9. Stack the five pieces (red, green, and blue plates, luminance pump,and the luminance mask) after printing. While stacking order may vary,the following stacking order from bottom to top is preferred: luminancepump, green, blue, red, and then the luminance mask. Note that printingout and stacking these five pieces is needed in the full color process.

By way of example, FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a full color processfor producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane 600. As shown in this figure, the full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphoto luminescent lithophane 600 starts by inputting a digitized photo(at 605). The digitized photo can include a subject, such as a person,an animal, an object, or no specific subject, such as a generallandscape.

After inputting the digitized photo, the full color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane 600 of some embodiments makes red, green, andblue color separations of the digitized photo (at 610) by a photomanipulation program to save as separate photo files. For example, auser of a photo manipulation program, such as Gimp or Photoshop, maycreate red, green, and blue copies of the digitized photo for the redseparation, the green separation, and the blue separation, respectively.Next, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600 makesa dark extrusion, by a 3D modeler program, of luminance information ofthe full color photo for a luminance mask (at 615). Then the full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphoto luminescent lithophane 600 sets up printing parameters, by way ofa 3D slicer program, of dark extruded luminance mask (at 620) to printin a single clear plastic and render a gcode file.

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600 makesa light extrusion, by way of the 3D modeler program, of luminanceinformation of the full color photo for a luminance pump (at 625). Next,the full color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photo luminescent lithophane 600 sets up printing parametersof light extruded luminance pump (at 630), by way of the 3D slicerprogram, to print and to render gcode file.

In some embodiments, after making the red, green, and blue colorseparations of the digitized photo (at 610), the full color process forproducing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane 600 makes a light extrusion of the red separationby way of the 3D modeler program (at 635) and sets up printingparameters of the light extruded separation, by the 3D slicer program,to print a red color plate in single color glow red plastic and torender the gcode file (at 640).

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600 alsomakes a light extrusion of the green separation by way of the 3D modelerprogram (at 645) and sets up printing parameters of the light extrudedseparation, by the 3D slicer program, to print a green color plate insingle color glow green plastic and to render the gcode file (at 650).

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600further makes a light extrusion of the blue separation by way of the 3Dmodeler program (at 655) and sets up printing parameters of the lightextruded separation, by the 3D slicer program, to print a blue colorplate in single color glow blue plastic and to render the gcode file (at660).

In some embodiments, after making the light extrusion of luminanceinformation of the full color photo for the luminance pump (at 625) andsetting up printing parameters of the light extruded luminance pump (at630), the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600performs post-processing, by way of the 3D slicer program, and uses thequasi-color formula to determine which layer heights to change glowplastics (red, green, blue) to make the luminance pump (at 665).

In some embodiments, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600continues to the next step which involves the 3D printer printing (at670) all three of the color plates (the red plate, the green plate, andthe blue plate), the luminance mask, and the luminance pump, and thenassemble them all from bottom to top, with the luminance pump (thelightest) on the bottom of the stack, followed by the green plate, theblue plate, the red plate, and the luminance mask (the darkest) on thetop of the stack.

Next, the full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photo luminescent lithophane 600 ofsome embodiments outputs the 3D printed, self-illuminating full colorhigh definition photo luminescent lithophane. Then the full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphoto luminescent lithophane 600 of some embodiments ends.

By way of example, FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a perspective view offive unstacked layers 700 (pieces) which when appropriately stacked makeup a full color lithophane produced by the full color process of FIG. 6.As shown in this figure, the five unstacked layers 700 are pieces thatstack together, one on top of another. In this case, the five unstackedlayers 700 include a bottom layer 720, a first middle layer 722, asecond middle layer 724, a third middle layer 726, and a top layer 728.An order starts to take shape when stacking occurs. Stacking isdemonstrated in the next two figures.

By way of example, FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a perspective view ofthe five layers (pieces) separated in a stacking order 800 to make thefull color lithophane. Specifically, the stacking order 800 shown inthis figure starts at the top with the top layer 728 and proceeds downto the bottom in the following order: the third middle layer 726underneath the top layer 728, the second middle layer 724 underneath thethird middle layer 726, the first middle layer 722 underneath the secondmiddle layer 724, and, at the base of the stacking order 800, the bottomlayer 720. In addition to demonstrating an order of the five layers(pieces), the stacking order 800 includes a relative dark to light order(from top to bottom), such that the top layer 728 is the luminance mask,the third middle layer 726 is the red plate, the second middle layer 724is the blue plate, the first middle layer 722 is the green plate, and,pumping light from the bottom through the five layers up to the top, thebottom layer 720 is the luminance pump.

Further demonstrating stacking of the layers, FIG. 9 conceptuallyillustrates a perspective view of the five layers (pieces) closelystacked according to the stacking order 800 for charging and viewing thefull color lithophane. Specifically, the order of the layers remains thesame while the layers are moved closer together in the stack,specifically, from bottom to top (lightest to darkest) the bottom layer720 luminance pump, followed by the green plate first middle layer 722,then the blue plate second middle layer 724, above which is the redplate third middle layer 726, and, on top, the luminance mask top layer728.

Resulting from the stacking of the five layers (pieces) according to thestacking order 800 from bottom to top and lightest (luminance pump) todarkest (luminance mask), is the full color lithophane. By way ofexample, FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates the full color lithophane 1000produced by the full color process of FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the luminance pump is employed in the full colorprocess for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane to pump light through the rest of the platesand bring the overall brightness up. In some embodiments, the luminancepump is a plate made of a balance of red, green, and blue glow plasticsto make up white. In some embodiments, luminance information is thenextruded from the original full color image with the dark informationbeing raised. Next, in some embodiments, the pump extruded model issliced in the 3D slicer program to give the balanced white (from themixture of red, green, and blue glow plastics) and then printed. In someembodiments, after printing, the balanced white piece is then placed atthe bottom of the stack (below the green plate in the preferred orderingnoted above), which allows for pumping light through the rest of theplates to increase overall brightness.

To make the monochrome to full simulated color 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane and full color 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized photodescribed in this disclosure, one would perform either the monochrome tosimulated full color process for producing 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane or thefull color process for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition photoluminescent lithophane in a 3D modeling program on acomputing device to process a digitized photo. The person would also useprograms of a 3D printing slicer to properly assign the plastic colorsto the appropriate parts of the processed photo or a post slicerprocessing program can be used to assign heights within the lithophaneto change colors appropriate to the lithophane build when it is printed.

Then, the person would use a 3D printer for the monochrome to fullsimulated color process or the full color process, with an opaque (inlight) strong glow in the dark green plastic for the highest lightluminance values, light colored translucent plastics for the rest of thelight luminance values and dark colored translucent plastics for thedark luminance values for the 3D printer to use in creating the object.Thus, a 3D modeling program, 3D slicer programs, and a 3D printer withmultiple opaque (in light) glow in the dark plastic colors andtranslucent colored plastics are the most commonly used components forperforming the processes for producing 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of the present disclosure.

To use the monochrome to full simulated color 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane and full color 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized photo of thepresent disclosure, a person can produce photo-based monochrome or fullcolor glow in the dark plastics (lithophane) that show an image of thephoto in high definition (highly detailed), which can be used forinformational purposes, safety purposes, or as a collectible item, orany other use a person can imagine.

Also, the monochrome to full simulated color 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition and contrast photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane and full color 3D-appearing self-illuminatinghigh definition photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized photo can beadapted for use in adding a placard to any object, with the placardshowing information (pictorial or written information) that is visiblefor a short period of time in very low light situations or in darknesswithout any light. In some embodiments, the monochrome to full simulatedcolor 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane and full color 3D-appearingself-illuminating high definition photoluminescent lithophane of adigitized photo are able to carry out other functions, including,without limitation, (i) producing highly detailed emergency signs thatcan be back lit but when power fails but which will light up for alimited amount of time, (ii) producing powerless light meters, such as agray scale version with noted levels of light by strength of light(luminance), and (iii) producing a low power laser beam dump thatabsorbs the light from the laser without changing most of it into heat,and which is lighter and less expensive than the typical graphite brickthat is used for such purposes.

The above-described embodiments of the monochrome to full simulatedcolor 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane and the full color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of a digitized photo are presented for purposes ofillustration and not of limitation. While these embodiments of themonochrome to full simulated color 3D-appearing self-illuminating highdefinition and contrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane andthe full color 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definitionphotoluminescent lithophane of a digitized photo have been describedwith reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the monochrome to full simulated color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane and the full color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of a digitized photo can be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of either the monochrome to fullsimulated color 3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition andcontrast photoluminescent and translucent lithophane or the full color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of a digitized photo. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the artwould understand that the monochrome to full simulated color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition and contrastphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane and the full color3D-appearing self-illuminating high definition photoluminescentlithophane of a digitized photo are not to be limited by the foregoingillustrative details, but rather are to be defined by the appendedclaims.

III. Quasi-Color Process for Producing Quasi-Color Photoluminescent andTranslucent Lithophane Using Only Luminance Information of a DigitizedPhoto

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture performs aplurality of steps comprising (i) inputting a digitized photo, using a3D modeling program to dark extrude the photo according to luminanceinformation, (ii) saving the dark extrusion as a 3D model, (iii)configuring printing parameters of the dark extrusion 3D model via a 3Dprinting slicer program and outputting a gcode file in response to theconfigured printing parameters for a printing by a 3D printer, (iv)updating the gcode file during a material post processing stage thatsets lithophane color heights to create the quasi-color effect, and (v)using the updated gcode file by the 3D printer to produce thequasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane.

The quasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane of a digitized picture using only luminanceinformation from the digitized picture of the present disclosure may becomprised of the following detailed steps and elements. This list ofpossible constituent detailed steps and elements is intended to beexemplary only and it is not intended that this list be used to limitthe quasi-color process for producing quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane of a digitized picture using only luminanceinformation from the digitized picture of the present application tojust these steps or elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the artrelevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalentsteps and elements that may be substituted within the present disclosurewithout changing the essential function or operation of the quasi-colorprocess for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane of a digitized picture using only luminance information fromthe digitized picture.

1. In a 3D builder software application/program (such as the Microsoftprogram “3D Builder”) extrude the photo according to luminance with thedark information (from total black) as the extruded information thatgets height according to strength (darker the info the higher theextrusion from the base) to create the base object for the picture to bemade. Once that is made it is saved as an STL object for the slicerprogram to use. Dimensions used to dark extrude the photo in thisformula are that the base is 29% of the total height of the lithophane.

2. Bring the single piece dark extrusion 3D model of the photo (STLformat) into the 3D printing Slicer program “Simplify 3D” (In thisexample). Set all the parameters for printing out the lithophane as asingle color (this will be changed in the material post processingprogram to be used after the slicer program. Typical parameters used forprinting include 0.1 mm layer height (first layer 0.2 mm), 4 bottomlayer shells, 3 outline shells, and 90% infill. These main parametersdefine how the quasi-color photoluminescent lithophane will be produced.

3. Input the gcode file into the material post processing program to setat what heights the plastic is to change to a new one. After bringing inthe gcode file, the settings for the printer color changes are made withthe heights set as to where the plastic changes are. They are as followsfor the lithophane of 1.8 mm base and 6.2 mm total height, with darkextruded information including 4.4 mm of information, with the colorstack from start to finish being:

White (non-glow reflector base)—5/100 of the total height

Glow Green—13/100 of the total height

Translucent Green—6/100 of the total height

Blue—10/100 of total height

Red—19/100 of total height

Blue—10/100 of total height

Red—16/100 of total height

Blue—21/100 of total height

In some embodiments, the plastics are polylactic-acid (PLA) plastics.

In some embodiments, the printer will stop at each point to allow aplastic change for a new color at each height until the object iscomplete. In some embodiments, once it is finished printing thequasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane is complete.

Further detailed information for the color stack is based on productionof one or more quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophaneoutput printings, where the white (no glow reflector base) is at thebottom of the stack, followed by a green layer (comprised of first glowin the dark green, then non glow translucent green), a first blue layer,a first red layer, a second blue layer, a second red layer, and a third(top) blue layer. In some embodiments, the green layer is split betweena glow green and a non glow translucent PLA plastics and the red layers,and the blue layers all non-glow translucent PLA plastics. In someembodiments all plastics used are glow except for the base which willstill be non translucent white PLA plastic (even the green layer whichis normally both can be combined into one large glow green layer). Insome embodiments all plastics are non glow translucent PLA plasticincluding the base in which a clear plastic is used instead.

In some embodiments, the various layers and the heights of the variouslayers correspond to luminance ranges in a histogram ten bit (10 bit)luminance scale that specifies the value zero (0) as being total blackdarkness and the value 1023 as being all white lightness. In someembodiments, the contribution of each layer to the overall quasi-colorphotoluminescent lithophane that is produced is quantified as apercentage contribution. The ordered layers (from top to bottom), thecolors of the ordered layers, the heights of the ordered layers, thepercentage contribution of the ordered layers, and the histogram 10 bitluminance scale value ranges of the ordered layers follows here:

Blue (top) layer (the third blue layer), 21% of the total height of thequasi-color photoluminescent lithophane that is produced, 1.3 mmindividual layer height, 29.5% contribution info, 0 to 373 on Histogram10 bit luminance scale (where 0=total darkness and 1023=all whitelight).

Red layer (the second red layer), 16% of the total height of thequasi-color photoluminescent lithophane that is produced, 1.0 mmindividual layer height, 22.7% contribution info, 373 to 605 onHistogram 10 bit luminance scale.

Blue layer (the second blue layer), 10% of the total height, 6.8%contribution info, 605 to 675 on Histogram 10 bit luminance scale.

Red layer (the first red layer), 19% of the total height, 27.2%contribution info, 675 to 953 on Histogram 10 bit luminance scale.

Blue layer (the first blue layer), 10% of the total height, 6.8%contribution info, 953 to 1023 on Histogram 10 bit luminance scale.

Green layer, 19% of the total height. 13% glow in the dark green, 6% nonglow translucent plastic green

White layer (non glow reflector base) 5% of the total height.

While the values of the example quasi-color photoluminescent lithophanedescribed above have produced decently accurate color-likerepresentations of photos (which may be black & white or color) based onluminance information in the photos, a person of ordinary skill in therelevant art would appreciate that many other configurations andbreakdown of scales and numbers are possible.

By way of example, FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a quasi-colorprocess for creating a quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane from a digitized photo 1100. As shown in this figure, thequasi-color process for creating a quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane from a digitized photo 1100 starts when a userinputs a digitized photo (at 1110). The photo can include any kind ofsubject (e.g., person, animal, object or thing) or non-subject scene(e.g., landscape, etc.). The photo can be input by digitally importing(such as from an electronic system including, for example, a digitalcamera or a mobile computing/communications device), scanning, orselecting the digitized photo from a hard drive, disk, cloud resource,application service, etc.

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for creating a quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane from a digitized photo 1100performs a 3D modeler program process (“PROCESS 1”) during which the 3Dmodeler program (at 1120) extrudes the digitized photo according to theluminance with the dark information (from total black) as the extrudedheight for the 3D model of the digitized photo, and saves it as an STLtype model object.

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for creating a quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane from a digitized photo 1100then performs a 3D slicer program process (“PROCESS 2”) during which the3D slicer program (at 1130). imports the single-piece dark extrusion 3Dmodel and sets it up for printing by setting the position, infilldensity, and layer height, and then outputting a gcode file for the 3Dprinter to use.

Next, the quasi-color process for creating a quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane from a digitized photo 1100of some embodiments performs a post-processing sub-process (“PROCESS 3”)during which post-processing by way of the 3D slicer program (at 1140)imports the gcode file to set the heights where the different colorplastics (glow or non-glow) are to be changed from bottom to top tocreate the quasi-color effect (with white at 5% of height, green at 19%,blue at 10%, red at 19%, another blue at 10%, another red at 16%, andyet another blue at 21%), and then to output the adjusted gcode.

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for creating a quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane from a digitized photo 1100triggers a 3D printer to output the resulting quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane (at 1150). In someembodiments, after the 3D printer outputs the resulting quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane, then the quasi-colorprocess for creating a quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane from a digitized photo 1100 ends.

By way of example, FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a perspective viewof the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane 1200,depicting a subject 1210 as created by the quasi-color process forcreating a quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane froma digitized photo 1100 of FIG. 11.

Now turning to a related example, FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates asection view showing a single eight layer stack 1310 of eight layers(pieces) taken along line 13-13 of the quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane. As shown in this figure, the eight layers of thesingle eight layer stack 1310 include a top blue layer 1320, an upperred layer 1330, a middle blue layer 1340, a lower red layer 1350, alower blue layer 1360, a green layer 1370, another layer 1380, and a nonglow reflector base layer 1390.

By way of example, FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a detailed sidesectional view of the single eight layer stack 1310 of eight layers(pieces) 1310 that make up the quasi-color photoluminescent andtranslucent lithophane of FIG. 12. As shown in this figure, the eightlayers of the single eight layer stack 1310 include the top blue layer1320, the upper red layer 1330, the middle blue layer 1340, the lowerred layer 1350, the lower blue layer 1360, the green layer 1370, theother layer 1380, and the non glow reflector base layer 1390.

In some embodiments, the top blue layer 1320 is the third of three bluelayers (shown by lateral/horizontal line pattern) and accounts for 21%of the total height of the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane 1200 that is produced, 1.3 mm individual layer height(denoted by “H” height arrow), 29.5% contribution information, and 0 to373 on Histogram 10 bit luminance scale (where 0=total darkness and1023=all white light).

In some embodiments, the upper red layer 1330 is the second of two redlayers and accounts for 16% of the total height of the quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane 1200 that is produced, 1.0mm individual layer height (denoted by “G” height arrow), 22.7%contribution information, and 373 to 605 on Histogram 10 bit luminancescale.

In some embodiments, the middle blue layer (the second of three bluelayers) accounts for 10% of the total height (denoted by “F” heightarrow) of the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane1200 that is produced, 6.8% contribution information, and 605 to 675 onHistogram 10 bit luminance scale.

In some embodiments, the lower red layer (the first of two red layers)accounts for 19% of the total height (denoted by “E” height arrow) ofthe quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane 1200 that isproduced, 27.2% contribution information, and 675 to 953 on Histogram 10bit luminance scale.

In some embodiments, the lower blue layer (the first blue layer of thethree blue layers) accounts for 10% of the total height (denoted by “D”height arrow) of the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane 1200 that is produced, 6.8% contribution information, and 953to 1023 on Histogram 10 bit luminance scale.

In some embodiments, the other layer is a non glow translucent plasticgreen layer that accounts for 6% of the total height (denoted by “C”height arrow) of the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane 1200 that is produced.

In some embodiments, the green layer is a glow in the dark green layerthat accounts for 13% of the total height (denoted by “B” height arrow)of the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane 1200 thatis produced.

In some embodiments, the white layer is a non glow reflector base thataccounts for 5% of the total height (denoted by “A” height arrow) of thequasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane 1200 that isproduced.

In a similar example, FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a detailed sidesectional view of top and bottom stacks of layers (pieces) based on thequasi-color formula of a quasi-color lithophane. A seven layer topquasi-color stack 1510 of seven layers (pieces) and a seven layer bottomquasi-color stack 1520 of seven layers (pieces), the seven layer topquasi-color stack 1510 and the seven layer bottom quasi-color stack 1520making up the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophanewhen positioned on a base layer 1530.

By way of another quasi-color example, FIG. 16 conceptually illustratesa detailed side sectional view of several stacks of layers based on thequasi-color formula of a quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane, such as the quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane described above by reference to FIG. 14. Specifically, theseveral stacks of layers shown in this figure include a firstquasi-color stack of layers 1610, a second quasi-color stack of layers1620, a third quasi-color stack of layers 1630, and a fourth quasi-colorstack of layers 1640. Notably, the fourth quasi-color stack of layers1640 may actually be a fifth, sixth, seventh, . . . , NNth quasi-colorstack of layers.

The above-described embodiments of the quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitizedpicture using only luminance information from the digitized picture arepresented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Whilethese embodiments of the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the quasi-color process forproducing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of adigitized picture using only luminance information from the digitizedpicture can be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit of the quasi-color process. Thus, one of ordinary skill inthe art would understand that the quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitizedpicture using only luminance information from the digitized picture isnot to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather isto be defined by the appended claims.

IV. Luminance Pump and Identifying Manipulations in a Photo by Way ofthe Quasi-Color Process for Producing Quasi-Color Photoluminescent andTranslucent Lithophane of a Digitized Photo

In some embodiments, the quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent and translucent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture revealsmanipulations made to a physical photo on which the digitized picture isbased. In some embodiments, the manipulations revealed includepost-exposure use of charcoal pencil to manipulate an appearance of thephysical photo.

In some embodiments, a luminance pump is employed in the quasi-colorprocess for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane to pump light through the layers and bring the overallbrightness up. In an opposite manner (negative), the luminance pumpshows colors assigned to different luminance levels of a photo. As such,a photo can be made just from the luminance information with a darkextrusion of the information for the lithophane. As only the luminance(gray scale, or black and white) information is needed, the productionof closely accurate quasi-color photoluminescent lithophane is possible.In some embodiments, the flatter the contrast between relative luminancelevels, the less vivid the resulting colors of the quasi-colorphotoluminescent lithophane.

In some embodiments, when the luminance pump is employed in thequasi-color process for producing quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent and translucent lithophane, the luminanceinformation that is extruded from the original photo is used to identifythe layers in which the information is to be present. Photomanipulations that have been done with charcoal or other darkeningagents are then able to be easily identified by the quasi-color process,based on their relatively high values on the Histogram 10 bit luminancescale. In some instances, such manipulations are shown in the resultingquasi-color photoluminescent lithophane as more blue than surroundingareas, due to their relative darker luminance.

The above-described luminance pump and aspects of identifyingmanipulations in photos are presented for purposes of illustration andnot of limitation. While these embodiments of the luminance pump andaspects of identifying manipulations in photos have been described withreference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the luminance pump and aspects of identifyingmanipulations in photos are used in connection with the quasi-colorprocess for producing quasi-color photoluminescent and translucentlithophane of a digitized picture, described above, but which can beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit ofthe luminance pump and aspects of identifying manipulations in photos.Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that theluminance pump and aspects of identifying manipulations in photos is notto be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to bedefined by the appended claims.

V. Authenticity Chip Lithophane that Provides a Powerless Light ReactiveAlternative to Electronic Means of Authenticating an Object or an EntryTicket and an Authenticity Chip Process for Creating an AuthenticityChip Lithophane for Use in Authenticating an Object, an Entry Ticket, orAnother Item

Some embodiments include an authenticity chip lithophane that provides apowerless light reactive alternate to electronic means of authenticatingan object or entry ticket and an authenticity chip process for creatingan authenticity chip lithophane.

In some embodiments, the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane comprises (i) inputting a digitized photo,(ii) loading the digitized photo into a photo manipulation program andadding a white rim, (iii) extruding the digital image, in a 3D modelingprogram, with light luminance information to create the bottom, copy theextruded digital image and paste it next to the original, mirror thecopy to match with the base and to externally complete a smooth box, andthen merge the two sides into one object (STL) and save the new 3D modelauthenticity chip, (iv) loading the authenticity chip STL in the 3Dprinting slicer program and setting up for printing and saving the gcodefile, for putting the gcode in the 3D slicer post processing program andsetting up the color changes to create the authenticity chip, and (v)outputting the authenticity chip via the 3D printer.

The authenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chiplithophane of the present disclosure may be comprised of the followingelements and steps. This list of possible constituent elements and stepsis intended to be exemplary only and it is not intended that this listbe used to limit the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane of the present application to just theseelements or steps. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant tothe present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements orsteps that may be substituted within the present disclosure withoutchanging the essential function or operation of the authenticity chipprocess for creating an authenticity chip lithophane.

1. Input digitized photo.

2. Load digitized photo into a photo manipulation program and add whiterim (minimum 0.4 mm width minimum) so that when the digital image isextruded by the light luminance information forms solid side walls).

3. In a 3D modeling program, extrude digital image with light luminanceinformation (0.6 mm base 1.5 mm total height) to create the bottom. Thencopy the extruded digital image and paste it next to the original. Thenmirror the copy so that when it is flipped onto the original extrusionit matches image wise with the base and externally completes a smoothbox. Then merge the two sides into one object (STL) and save the new 3Dmodel authenticity chip.

4. In the 3D printing slicer program, load the authenticity chip STL andsetup for printing (0.1 resolution, 90% fill, top and bottom solidlayers) and save the gcode (3D printing) file. Then put the gcode in the3D slicer post processing program and setup the color changes to createthe authenticity chip. Typically this will be 0.2 mm white plastic, 0.4mm glow green plastic, from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm varied colors, 1.2 mm to1.5 mm clear black to create the view area on top.

5. Output the authenticity chip via the 3D printer.

By way of example, FIG. 17 conceptually illustrates an authenticity chipprocess for creating an authenticity chip lithophane from a digitizedphoto 1700. As shown in this figure, the authenticity chip process forcreating an authenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo 1700starts when a user inputs a digitized photo (at 1710). The digitizedphoto can be imported from a camera or mobile device, scanned, selectedfrom a local disk drive, or downloaded/retrieved from a cloud storage,cloud database, or other non-local networked resource. In addition, thedigitized photo can depict any subject, such as a person, an animal, anobject, a landscape, etc.

In some embodiments, the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo 1700 performs afirst sub-process (“PROCESS 1”) by user interaction and operations in aphoto manipulation program (at 1720). Specifically, in some embodiments,the user loads the digitized photo into the photo manipulation programand adds a white rim to the digital photo so that, when the digitalphoto is extruded by the light luminance, the information from the whiterim area forms solid side walls. In some embodiments, the white rim isset to a width for the solid side walls. In some embodiments, the widthof the white rim is configured to be a minimum of 0.4 MM wide.

In some embodiments, the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo 1700 then performs asecond sub-process (“PROCESS 2”) by which the user interacts with andperforms operations in a 3D modeling program (at 1730). Using the 3Dmodeling program, the user extrudes the digital image (digitized photo)with light luminance information to create a base (base extrusion). Alsoduring the second sub-process, the user copies the extruded digitalimage in the 3D modeling program and pastes the copied image next to theoriginal extruded digital image. Then the user mirrors the copied imagein the 3D modeling program so that that mirrored copy matches whenflipped onto the base extrusion and externally completes a smooth box.Still during the second sub-process, the user merges the two sides intoone single 3D model (an “STL object”) and saves the STL object as thenew 3D authenticity chip. In some embodiments, the digital image isextruded with the light luminance information and has a base size and atotal height. In some embodiments, the base size is 0.6 mm and the totalheight is 1.5 mm.

Next, the authenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chiplithophane from a digitized photo 1700 of some embodiments performs athird sub-process (“PROCESS 3”) by a 3D slicer program (at 1740). Duringthe third sub-process, the 3D slicer program is used to load theauthenticity chip STL object and is configured (set up) for 3D printing.When configured for 3D printing, a 3D print code (“gcode”) file is set.In some embodiments, the gcode 3D printing file is saved. Then a 3Dslicer post-processing program is used to load the saved gcode and setup color changes to create the authenticity chip lithophane for printoutput. In some embodiments, the authenticity chip lithophane is set upfor print output with 0.2 mm white plastic, 0.4 mm glow green plastic,from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm varied colors, and from 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm clearblack to create the top view area. In some embodiments, the authenticitychip STL object is configured for printing top and bottom layers at 0.1resolution and 90% fill. An example of an authenticity chip lithophaneis described below by reference to FIGS. 18-23.

After completion of the three sub-processes (i.e., PROCESS 1, PROCESS 2,and PROCESS 3), the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo 1700 of someembodiments triggers a 3D printer to output the resulting authenticitychip lithophane (at 1750). In some embodiments, after the 3D printeroutputs the authenticity chip lithophane, then the authenticity chipprocess for creating an authenticity chip lithophane from a digitizedphoto 1700 ends.

The authenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chiplithophane from a digitized photo 1700 may be performed to create anauthenticity chip lithophane that on the outside is a flat rectangle buthas the lithophane embossed internally (light embossed with a white rimto close and create the sides of the box) and create it with a 0.6 mmbase 1.5 mm total height, as demonstrated in FIG. 18. Specifically, andby way of example, FIG. 18 conceptually illustrates a perspective viewof an initial embossing to create a first half of the authenticity chiplithophane 1800.

Now turning to another example, FIG. 19 conceptually illustrates aperspective view of the initial embossed first half of the authenticitychip lithophane 1800 also showing a copy 1900. Next, FIG. 20conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initial embossedfirst half of the authenticity chip lithophane 1800 unchanged and withthe copy 1900 mirrored along one axis. Specifically, using the modelingprogram, the user copies the initial embossed first half of theauthenticity chip lithophane 1800 and then mirrors the STL for the copy1900.

By way of another example, FIG. 21 conceptually illustrates aperspective view of the initial embossed first half of the authenticitychip lithophane 1800 unchanged and the mirrored copy 1900 flipped andmoved into position over an initial half so they will meet correctlywhen put together. Also, by flipping over the reversed side and placingit so that it will be used to close the box for printing where the datais printed internally and the outside is smooth and can be made dark butstill translucent to strong light. By way of example, FIG. 22conceptually illustrates a perspective view of the initial half 1800 andthe mirrored copy 1900 pushed together and merged digitally. Thelithophane and rectangle side are merged so the box is sealed whenprinted, as demonstrated by reference to FIG. 23, which conceptuallyillustrates a perspective view of the authenticity chip lithophane afterthe initial half 1800 and the mirrored copy 1900 are pushed together andmerged digitally 2300.

In printing it is constructed of different colored PLA plastics startingwith a white plastic base, then a few dark translucent colored plasticsfor coloring of the internal picture, and then ending with both darktranslucent black and dark translucent forest green plastics to comprisethe dark lens.

The above-described embodiments of the authenticity chip lithophane andthe authenticity chip process for creating an authenticity chiplithophane from a digitized photo are presented for purposes ofillustration and not of limitation. While these embodiments of theauthenticity chip lithophane and the authenticity chip process forcreating an authenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo havebeen described with reference to numerous specific details, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that either the authenticitychip lithophane or the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo can be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit of theauthenticity chip lithophane or the authenticity chip process forcreating an authenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo. Thus,one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the authenticitychip lithophane and the authenticity chip process for creating anauthenticity chip lithophane from a digitized photo are not to belimited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather are to bedefined by the appended claims.

VI. Electronic System

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium or machine readable medium). When these instructions areexecuted by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or moreprocessors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they causethe processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in theinstructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but are notlimited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc.The computer readable media does not include carrier waves andelectronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections.

In this specification, the term “software” or “program” (as in the 3Dmodeling program, the 3D slicer program, any 3D slider post-processingprogram or module, any photo manipulation program, any 3D printerprogram or 3D printer driver process, etc.) is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage,which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome embodiments, multiple software inventions can be implemented assub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct softwareinventions. In some embodiments, multiple software inventions can alsobe implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination ofseparate programs that together implement a software invention describedhere is within the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, thesoftware programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronicsystems, define one or more specific machine implementations thatexecute and perform the operations of the software programs.

FIG. 24 conceptually illustrates an electronic system 2400 with whichsome embodiments of the invention are implemented. The electronic system2400 may be a computer, phone (cell phone, mobile phone, smartphone,etc.), PDA (iPod, other handheld computing device, etc.), printer (3Dprinter), or any other sort of electronic device or computing device.Such an electronic system includes various types of computer readablemedia and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media.Electronic system 2400 includes a bus 2405, processing unit(s) 2410, asystem memory 2415, a read-only 2420, a permanent storage device 2425,input devices 2430, output devices 2435, and a network 2440.

The bus 2405 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipsetbuses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of theelectronic system 2400. For instance, the bus 2405 communicativelyconnects the processing unit(s) 2410 with the read-only 2420, the systemmemory 2415, and the permanent storage device 2425.

From these various memory units, the processing unit(s) 2410 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the invention. The processing unit(s) may be a singleprocessor or a multi-core processor in different embodiments.

The read-only-memory (ROM) 2420 stores static data and instructions thatare needed by the processing unit(s) 2410 and other modules of theelectronic system. The permanent storage device 2425, on the other hand,is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memoryunit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system2400 is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device(such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) asthe permanent storage device 2425.

Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a floppy diskor a flash drive) as the permanent storage device 2425. Like thepermanent storage device 2425, the system memory 2415 is aread-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 2425, thesystem memory 2415 is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a randomaccess memory. The system memory 2415 stores some of the instructionsand data that the processor needs at runtime. In some embodiments, theinvention's processes are stored in the system memory 2415, thepermanent storage device 2425, and/or the read-only 2420. For example,the various memory units include instructions for processing appearancealterations of displayable characters in accordance with someembodiments. From these various memory units, the processing unit(s)2410 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order toexecute the processes of some embodiments.

The bus 2405 also connects to the input and output devices 2430 and2435. The input devices enable the user to communicate information andselect commands to the electronic system. The input devices 2430 includealphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor controldevices”). The output devices 2435 display images generated by theelectronic system 2400. The output devices 2435 include printers anddisplay devices, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystaldisplays (LCD). Some embodiments include devices such as a touchscreenthat functions as both input and output devices.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 24, bus 2405 also couples electronic system2400 to a network 2440 through a network adapter (not shown). In thismanner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or anintranet), or a network of networks (such as the Internet). Any or allcomponents of electronic system 2400 may be used in conjunction with theinvention.

These functions described above can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniquescan be implemented using one or more computer program products.Programmable processors and computers can be packaged or included inmobile devices. The processes may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors and by one or more set of programmable logiccircuitry. General and special purpose computing and storage devices canbe interconnected through communication networks.

Some embodiments include electronic components, such as microprocessors,storage and memory that store computer program instructions in amachine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred toas computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, ormachine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readablemedia include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordablecompact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-onlydigital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a varietyof recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.),flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.),magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, read-only and recordableBlu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs, any other optical ormagnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media may storea computer program that is executable by at least one processing unitand includes sets of instructions for performing various operations.Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code,such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level codethat are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or amicroprocessor using an interpreter.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For instance, FIGS. 5, 6, 11, and 17conceptually illustrate processes in which the specific operations ofthe process may not be performed in the exact order shown and described.Specific operations may not be performed in one continuous series ofoperations, and different specific operations may be performed indifferent embodiments. Furthermore, each process could be implementedusing several sub-processes, or as part of a larger macro process. Thus,one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather isto be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A quasi-color process for producing quasi-colorphotoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture using only luminanceinformation from the digitized picture comprising: inputting a digitizedphoto; dark extruding the digitized photo according to luminanceinformation to obtain dark information of the digitized photo; savingthe dark extrusion as a 3D model; configuring printing parameters of thedark extrusion 3D model via a 3D printing slicer program and outputtinga gcode file in response to the configured printing parameters for aprinting by a 3D printer; updating the gcode file during material postprocessing stage that sets lithophane color heights to create thequasi-color effect by a quasi-color formula that stacks a plurality ofcolored layers from bottom to top of a total lithophane height with awhite color layer at the bottom, a green color layer atop the whitecolor layer, a lower blue color layer atop the green color layer, alower red color layer atop the lower blue color layer, a middle bluecolor layer atop the lower red color layer, an upper red color layeratop the middle blue color layer, and a top blue color layer at the topand stacked above the upper red color layer, wherein the quasi-colorformula comprises a five percent white color layer height of the totallithophane height, a nineteen percent green color layer height of thetotal lithophane height, a ten percent lower blue color layer height ofthe total lithophane height, a sixteen percent lower red color layerheight of the total lithophane height, a ten percent middle blue colorlayer height of the total lithophane height, a sixteen percent upper redcolor layer height of the total lithophane height, and a twenty-onepercent top blue color layer height of the total lithophane height; andusing the updated gcode file by the 3D printer to produce thequasi-color photoluminescent lithophane.
 2. The quasi-color process ofclaim 1, wherein the dark information is used as an extruded height forthe 3D model of the digitized photo.
 3. The quasi-color process of claim1, wherein the printing parameters comprise a position, an infilldensity, and a layer height.
 4. A quasi-color process for producingquasi-color photoluminescent lithophane of a digitized picture usingonly luminance information from the digitized picture comprising:inputting a digitized photo; dark extruding the digitized photoaccording to luminance information to obtain dark information of thedigitized photo; saving the dark extrusion as a 3D model; configuringprinting parameters of the dark extrusion 3D model via a 3D printingslicer program and outputting a gcode file in response to the configuredprinting parameters for a printing by a 3D printer; updating the gcodefile during material post processing stage that sets lithophane colorheights to create the quasi-color effect by stacking a plurality ofcolored layers according to a quasi-color formula that specifies a fivepercent white color layer height of a total lithophane height, anineteen percent green color layer height of the total lithophaneheight, a ten percent lower blue color layer height of the totallithophane height, a sixteen percent lower red color layer height of thetotal lithophane height, a ten percent middle blue color layer height ofthe total lithophane height, a sixteen percent upper red color layerheight of the total lithophane height, and a twenty-one percent top bluecolor layer height of the total lithophane height; and using the updatedgcode file by the 3D printer to produce the quasi-color photoluminescentlithophane.
 5. The quasi-color process of claim 4, wherein the darkinformation is used as an extruded height for the 3D model of thedigitized photo.
 6. The quasi-color process of claim 4, wherein theprinting parameters comprise a position, an infill density, and a layerheight.